Ehn... its traffic court. Unless its something serious like a DWI, or you actually have a case why you did not deserve the ticket, you do not need a lawyer, they will not make it disappear for you. The only benefits you get from a lawyer is that they will call the court telling them you will show up and you get first in line with court is in session.

Dont get a lawyer, dress sort of nice, show up an hour early if possible, you will be first to be heard otherwise you wait in the back behind everyone else. At some point you will be able to meet with the prosecutor. Im unsure what they would drop it to but they will give you a lower option with points and will only run you about $150 at most or you can take a "unsafe driving ticket" for a flat $400 with no points.

Depends on your own record. You only get two unsafe driving tickets with in 5 year period which only starts after you use your second unsafe ticket but if you have a clean record and this was an odd occurrence. The points they give you will be off your license within a year and most insurance companies will let it slide.

The bergen county court house is sort of big and intimidating but this process has been entirely simplified for the sake of efficiency.